Greens propose a more rational way to deal with Lucas Heights’ returning nuclear wastes
“The Greens policy delivers a way forward by redirecting existing funding of $30 million from the current process to a new deliberative public inquiry focused on transparency and evidence to come up with the best possible solutions,” South Australian Greens senator Robert Simms said.
Federal election 2016: Greens would put nuke dump on hold JARED OWENS The Australian,June 10, 2016 The Greens are pushing to stockpile radioactive waste in suburban Sydney, pending an independent inquiry that would expressly exclude evidence from anyone who might profit from a dedicated nuclear dump.
The party’s nuclear policy would cancel the process led by Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg that has identified farmland at Barndioota, 400km north of Adelaide, as a potential nuclear waste site, despite objections raised by some traditional owners.
Under the policy, exports of Australian nuclear medicine to overseas patients would be curbed and research would be funded to find alternatives to radiotherapy.
The proposed independent inquiry would be charged with recommending a long-term solution to storing nuclear waste — typically, used medical equipment and spent fuel rods from Sydney’s Lucas Heights reactor — without imposing a dump site on reluctant communities. Continue reading
Labor would reinstate funding to environment legal centres
Labor to return environment legal centres http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/06/14/21/00/labor-to-return-environment-legal-centres#EJais4TajqQhgw6s.99 A federal Labor government would hand back taxpayer money to environment legal centres, pledging almost $11 million over four years.
Environment spokesman Mark Butler revealed Labor would reinstate federal funding to environmental defenders officers, after the Abbott government stripped the legal centres of cash in 2013.
Mr Butler also confirmed Labor would retain the federal government’s power to make environmental approvals, reversing the coalition’s policy of handing those powers to the states.
“Australians need to be able to trust the national system of environment approvals,” campaigns director Paul Sinclair said.
Labor also promised to streamline environmental assessments with states, while looking at options for an independent environment protection body.
The Wilderness Society called on the coalition to back an independent agency to work as a regulator.
“We need a new national independent environment body free from political interference,” national director Lyndon Schneiders said.
Bill Shorten ambivalent at the least, about Australia importing nuclear waste
Bill Shorten signals he may be open to supporting high level nuclear waste dump for SA, ABC News By Michael Coggan 17 Feb 2016, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has given qualified support for the establishment of a multi-billion-dollar nuclear waste storage repository in South Australia.
Key points:
- Bill Shorten may back a high-level nuclear waste dump in SA if economics and safeguards stack up
- Labor has traditionally opposed an expansion of the nuclear industry
- Mr Shorten says issue must not be consigned to the “too-hard basket”
Traditionally, Labor has opposed the expansion of the nuclear industry.
The Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle released tentative findings yesterday that suggested South Australia stood to reap $5 billion a year if it established a “high-level” nuclear waste facility.
The early findings suggest that nuclear power generation is not viable in the short term.
In response to the nuclear waste dump option, Mr Shorten said “on this question, (SA Premier) Jay Weatherill and I are of one mind”.…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/shorten-and-weatherill-of-one-mind-on-sa-nuclear-waste-dump/7174002
Bill Shorten refuses to back South Australian nuclear probe, THE Australian 10 Feb 15 BILL Shorten has refused to back the South Australian Labor government’s proposal to investigate nuclear energy. …..
spokesman for the federal Opposition Leader said he would not support the inquiry, and the ALP had a “longstanding position on nuclear power based on the best available expert advice”.
Labor has maintained consistent opposition to the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is also “strongly opposed” to the importation and storage of nuclear waste sourced from overseas in Australia…… http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/bill-shorten-refuses-to-back-south-australian-nuclear-probe/story-e6frgczx-1227213806115
Climate change action can’t wait until the 2020 election: it’s critical NOW
This Is The Climate Change Election, Despite What Turnbull Or Shorten Say NewMatilda, June 10, 2016 Both parties are ignoring the big, coal-coloured elephant in the room. With the world speeding towards a tipping point, action can not wait for the next election cycle to begin, writes Costa Avgoustinos.Climate change is the number one issue this election, whether Turnbull or Shorten are willing to frame it that way or not. This is not only because averting climate disaster is important. It’s because our ability to do so is time-sensitive – after decades of delay the window for effective climate action is closing rapidly and will soon shut forever.
Here is a quick and dirty summary of the climate science: If the world heats up 1.5°C, we’re screwed.
Why? Because it is expected at this “tipping point”, how hot things get begins to significantly fall from our control. A series of events we have no power over are triggered once 1.5°C is breached – for example, the ability of oceans and forests to absorb our carbon emissions are substantially exhausted and greenhouse gases currently trapped under ice start being released.
We may soon be placed in a position where all we can do is powerlessly watch as temperatures climb to Mad Max levels; where sea rises will gobble at our coasts (where 85 per cent of Australians live), food and water sources are devastated, heat-thriving diseases are incubated, and conflicts and a meaner streak of politics are inevitable.
Because politicians are not taking the task of staying below the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C seriously, many predict we are “locking in” temperature rises of 4°C, which Professor John Schellnhuber, one of the world’s most influential climate scientists, bluntly stated at a conference in Australia would threaten nothing less than “human civilisation”.
The World Bank, hardly an organisation of tree huggers, stated “all our work, all our thinking, is designed with the threat of a 4°C degree world in mind” with the unnerving warning that there is “no certainty that adaptation to a 4°C world is possible”………..
Both the Coalition and Labor stoke and exploit our psychological blindspot, the difficulty we all have in seeing the climate crisis for the danger that it is, to get us talking about what they want us to consider an emergency. Don’t let them do it. This election, vote for climate action and against new coal mines. It is literally the most critical issue on the table, and its time is now. https://newmatilda.com/2016/06/10/this-is-the-climate-change-election-despite-what-turnbull-or-shorten-say/
Nick Xenophon Team has NO policy on nuclear wastes
How long can Senator Nick Xenophon sit on the fence regarding the plan for Australia to import the world’s nuclear waste?
Xenophon has said that he wants a referendum in South Australia, on this issue – BUT ONLY AFTER a dump site has been selected.
Nuclear waste dumping was the main focus of questions at a recent Nick Xenophon forum.
The nuclear waste import plan is not just a matter for South Australia. It is a critically important issue for all of Australia. With the federal election looming, it’s becoming apparent that the Nick Xenophon Team could well hold the balance of power, post election.
There’s no mention of nuclear issues in their national policy. Not good enough. Time Xenophon came clean on whether or not he will fall in with the nuclear lobby’s plans.
South Australia’s Labor and Liberal leaders for nuclear jaunt together to Finland
Weatherill, Marshall to make bipartisan trip to permanent nuke waste dump in Finland June 9, 2016 , Daniel Wills and Luke Griffiths,The Advertiser
PREMIER Jay Weatherill and Opposition Leader Steven Marshall will make a bipartisan trip to Finland in August and visit the world’s first long-term nuclear waste storage facility……
The bipartisan delegation to Finland will also include members of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Consultation and Response Agency Advisory Board, which is overseeing statewide consultation on the proposal as the State Government considers whether to proceed.
It will visit the Onkalo nuclear waste facility in northern Finland, where the country plans to bury its own spent fuel in a labyrinth of tunnels 520m under the ground for permanent storage. Onkalo is expected to accept fuel for 100 years before being sealed for eternity. The facility is currently under construction is expected to become operational within a decade.
Mr Weatherill said it was critical to see first-hand the kind of facility SA could build.
“The research and evidence shows SA can safely deepen its involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle,” he said. “I want to see first-hand what this might look like and see what lessons Finland can share with us, should this be something South Australians want to consider.”
“To make an informed decision later this year, it’s important that I understand the concept of deep geological disposal. This bipartisan visit to the Onkalo site will allow us to learn valuable lessons from the Finnish experience, which we will share with the SA community.”
Mr Marshall said it’s important there is a bipartisan investigation of the opportunity and co-operation during the community consultation process.
Also on the panel was Greg Ward, chief of staff to the Nuclear Royal Commission…….http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/weatherill-marshall-to-make-bipartisan-trip-to-permanent-nuke-waste-dump-in-finland/news-story/8a1be359682fb154b4fdccd48cc36dca
Greens move to prevent vested interests profiting from Federal nuclear waste dump
Federal election 2016: Greens would put nuke dump on hold, THE AUSTRALIAN, JUNE 10, 2016 Jared Owens The Greens are pushing to stockpile radioactive waste in suburban Sydney, pending an independent inquiry that would expressly exclude evidence from anyone who might profit from a dedicated nuclear dump.
The party’s nuclear policy would cancel the process led by Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg that has identified farmland at Barndioota, 400km north of Adelaide, as a potential nuclear waste site, despite objections raised by some traditional owners.
Under the policy, exports of Australian nuclear medicine to overseas patients would be curbed and research would be funded to find alternatives to radiotherapy.
The proposed independent inquiry would be charged with recommending a long-term solution to storing nuclear waste — typically, used medical equipment and spent fuel rods from Sydney’s Lucas Heights reactor — without imposing a dump site on reluctant communities.
In the meantime, intermediate-level nuclear waste would continue to be warehoused at the Lucas Heights reactor in Sydney’s south.
The inquiry would hear from community groups and experts in engineering, social science, environmental science, community consultation, radiation and medicine, the policy says.
However, witnesses deemed to have a “conflict of interest” — that is, those who might profit from the storage of nuclear waste — would be excluded from the process.
“The Greens policy delivers a way forward by redirecting existing funding of $30 million from the current process to a new deliberative public inquiry focused on transparency and evidence to come up with the best possible solutions,” South Australian Greens senator Robert Simms said.
The policy adds to the growing list of demands that Bill Shorten would face in exchange for the minor party’s support in the event of a hung parliament……..
The Greens’ proposed inquiry would run alongside a separate royal commission into British nuclear testing in South Australia and Western Australia in the 1950s and 1960s. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-greens-would-put-nuke-dump-on-hold/news-story/42fabc8f9172fe65f1f282322fe60ade
Election 2016: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders unite
Launch of the #RedfernStatement 2016
https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/election-2016-national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-leaders-unite
“The #RedfernStatement at a glance:
The Statement calls on the next Federal Government to:
– Restore the $534m cut from the Indigenous Affairs Portfolio by the 2014 Budget.
– Commit to better and ongoing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through their representative national peaks.
– Recommit to Closing the Gap by:
i. setting targets to reduce rates of family violence, incarceration and out-of-home care and increase access to disability support services; and
ii. securing national funding agreements to drive the implementation of national strategies.
– Commit to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to establish a Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the future.
– Commit to address the unfinished business of reconciliation.”
Labor politicians ambivalent on nuclear waste importing?
Already, I have received a number of replies to my question to Labor politicians and candidates. Some replies have directly answered the question:
“Would you vote for changing Labor Nuclear Policy or would you vote to keep the present policy?”
Quite a few Labor politicians have opted to send a standard answer, THAT DOESN’T QUITE ANSWER THE QUESTION. (I have wtitten back, politely asking them for more clarity on their personal position) This is their reply:
Rushing the South Australian nuclear waste discussion will be a failure
Royal commission engagement expert says nuclear opportunities will disappear if decision is rushed http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/royal-commission-engagement-expert-says-nuclear-opportunities-will-disappear-if-decision-is-rushed/news-story/f1bc0cf254e6b9d934669704a1b7196c June 8, 2016 Luke Griffiths The Advertiser THE person responsible for the Nuclear Royal Commission’s regional engagement says that if community consultation is rushed to meet political deadlines, the whole process will fall over.
Jon Bok, a former stakeholder engagement adviser to Santos, visited more than 50 SA communities over the course of 12 months. He told attendees at an Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy uranium conference in Adelaide yesterday that if the State Government is to develop a high-level nuclear waste repository, the “fundamental threshold issue of safety has to be addressed”.
“For many people, it’s going to take a long time to get from where they are now to have a sufficient level of trust and confidence in government and industry that this can actually be done safely and taken forward,” he said.
Resistance remained strong in many areas, which Mr Bok said can be attributed in part to legacy issues that include the British government’s nuclear tests in Maralinga and issues at Radium Hill uranium mine in the state’s far east.
Royal Commission head Kevin Scarce delivered his final report to Premier Jay Weatherill in early May. His key finding was that a high-level waste storage facility would generate economic benefits in excess of $250 billion and that its development should be pursued by the State Government.
Mr Weatherill has since established a consultation and response agency, overseen by an advisory board, and a citizens’ jury to facilitate further community feedback.
He told Parliament on May 17 that, guided by the outcomes of this engagement, he will provide the Government’s response to the Commission’s report by the end of the year.
While unwilling to criticise the Government, Mr Bok said a timeline must not be set on the education of “dubious and curious” residents.
“There’s simply not going to be enough information in the public domain to make a yes or no decision in the next 12-18 months,” he said.
“The Government wants to be in a position to know where to take this by the end of the year, which is a very short time frame. But all of the international evidence suggests that rushing this process will lead to failure — it cannot be rushed. Continue reading
Warning on threat posed by nuclear waste plan to South Australia’s clean agriculture image
Agriculture and Water Resources Assistant Minister Anne Ruston warns SA nuke plan mustn’t come at expense of clean, green image, The Advertiser, June 7, 2016 FEDERAL Agriculture and Water Resources Assistant Minister Anne Ruston has warned concerns about the country’s international reputation for exporting clean and green food must be addressed before proposals for nuclear waste storage in the state could be approved.
Senator Ruston today appeared for the Liberals at an Adelaide City Council debate of candidates for the federal seat of Adelaide, after her party’s David Colovic declined to appear……..
Senator Ruston said the Coalition was open to considering the prospect of nuclear waste in SA, but stressed it should not come at the cost of the state’s reputation for premium produce. “I am the assistant minister for agriculture and water resources. I believe that SA, but also the whole of Australia, has a competitive advantage in the international marketplace because we’re clean, we’re green and we’re safe,” she told the audience…….
Nick Xenophon Team candidate Joe Hill said the state should vote before approval was given.
“Certainly glad that we’re having a discussion around this and remain open-minded.
“We do support a referendum because of the magnitude and significance of this,” he said.
Speaking on FIVEaa radio this morning, Labor Leader Bill Shorten said: “Consultations around that have got a long way to go, so I’m going to concentrate on winning the election and prioritising jobs rather than get into that debate at this point.”……http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/agriculture-and-water-resources-assistant-minister-anne-ruston-warns-sa-nuke-plan-mustnt-come-at-expense-of-clean-green-image/news-story/baf27ae82b2098a613609d8131fe3e4f?sv=501bdd53a265db7876b5905830257d73
First a propaganda push for nuclear waste importing, then one for nuclear submarines
Federal election 2016: nuclear-powered subs needs discussion, PETER JENNINGS, THE AUSTRALIAN, JUNE 7 “……..Readers will appreciate the irony of Australia selecting the French-designed Shortfin Barracuda — a nuclear submarine that will be adapted to conventional propulsion……….
[2016 white paper] –
“During the long life of the new submarines, the rapid rate of technological change and ongoing evolution of Australia’s strategic circumstances will continue. As part of the rolling acquisition program, a review based on strategic circumstances at the time, and developments in submarine technology, will be conducted in the late 2020s to consider whether the configuration of the submarines remains suitable or whether consideration of other specifications should commence.”
This could be hinting that nuclear propulsion may be considered a decade or more from now. However, no Australian government in the 2030s or later will be in a position to adopt nuclear propulsion unless earlier decisions have been taken to prepare the ground for such a major development…….
After the 2016 election, the government should start to scope out what steps might sensibly be taken to create a realistic option for nuclear propulsion at the end of the 2020s. A key part of this strategy should be to have an open discussion with the Australian people explaining the basis for the submarine design decision. Government should consider the following steps:
1. Commission an expert panel to evaluate the necessary steps to position for a nuclear propulsion option. The panel should produce a public discussion paper setting out the challenges, risks, opportunities, financial cost and industry requirements necessary to support this technology. Continue reading
New South Wales people: put your Labor politicians on the nuclear spot!
SAMPLE EMAIL
It is best to send emails or letters in your own words. However, here’s 
an example anyway.
- Labor will:
- Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste;
- Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia;
- Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and
- Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.
MPs
Hon Anthony Albanese MP for grayndler A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 4664
Hon Sharon Bird MP for Cunningham Sharon.Bird.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 4244
Hon Chris Bowen MP for McMahon, Chris.Bowen.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 9604 0710
Hon Tony Burke MP for Watson Tony.Burke.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 9750 9088
Hon Jason Clare MP for Blaxland – no email (02) 9790 2466
Hon Ms Sharon Claydon MP – no email (02) 4926 1555
Hon Mr Pat Conroy MP Pat.Conroy. MP@aph.gov.au 02) 4954 261
Hon Justine Elliot MP – for Richmond Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au (07) 5523 4371
Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP – for Hunter Joel.fitzgibbon.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4991 1022
Hon Mr Chris Hayes MP – for Fowler Chris.Hayes.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 9726 3988
Hon Ed Husic MP for Chifley – no email (02) 6277 4488
Mr Stephen Jones MP for Throsby no email (02) 4262 6122
Hon Ms Julie Owens MP for Parramatta Julie.Owens.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 4134
Ms Michelle Rowland MP – for Greenway michelle.rowland.mp@aph.gov.au (02) 9671 4780
Senator the Hon Doug Cameron senator.cameron@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 3367
Senator Jenny McAllister jennifer.mcallister@aph.gov.au (02) 9719 8100
Peter Alley for Lyne peter@peteralley.com 0428 327 525
Aoife Champion for HUme – aoife.champion@nswlabor.org.au 0413 794 318
Milton Dick – for Oxley Milton.Dick@australianlabor.com.au (07) 3372 8980
Damian Wood for Cowper (contact not available)
Labor politicians and candidates: question them on nuclear policy!
SAMPLE EMAIL
It is best to send emails or letters in your own words. However, here’s an example anyway.
- Labor will:
- Vigorously and totally oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste;
- Prohibit the establishment of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle in Australia;
- Fully meet all Australia’s obligations as a party to the NPT; and
- Remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.
Hon Anthony Byrne MP – MP for Holt Anthony.Byrne.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9796 7533
Hon Ms Lisa Chesters MP – for Bendigo Lisa.Chesters.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055
Hon Michael Danby MP – Melbourne Ports – Michael.Danby.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9534 8126
Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, MP – for Isaacs – mark.dreyfus.mp@aph.gov.au
Hon David Feeney – for Batman david.feeney@australianlabor.com.au
Hon Andrew Giles for Scullin – Andrew.Giles@vic.alp.org.au (03) 9404 1911
Hon Catherine King MP for Ballarat Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au 03) 5338 8123
Hon Jenny Macklin – for Jagajaga no email.(03) 9459 1411Richard Marles- for Coria richard.marles.mp@aph.gov.au 03) 5221 3033
Brendan O’Connor for Gorton Brendan.O’Connor.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 8390 6166
Clare O’Neil – for Hotham Clare.ONeil.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9545 6211
Ms Joanne Ryan- for Lalor – no email (03) 9742 5800
Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP – for Calwell Maria.Vamvakinou.MP@aph.gov.au (03) 9367 5216
Mr Tim Watts MP for Gellibrand http://www.timwatts.net.au/Contact/Contact-Info (03)9687 7661
SENATORS VICTORIA
Senator the Hon Kim Carr senator.carr@aph.gov.au (03) 9639 2798
Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Contact_Senator_or_Member?MPID=GB6
03) 9890 7022
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy senator.conroy@aph.gov.au (03) 9391 4952
Senator Gavin Marshall senator.marshall@aph.gov.au (03) 9348 9699
CANDIDATES VICTORIA
Chris Buckingham for McMillan Chris.Buckingham@vic.alp.org.au 0405 518 057
Paul Klisaris – for Ashton paul.klisaris@vic.alp.org.au 0412 516 026
Hovig Melkonian – for Casey hovigmelkonian@australianlabor.com.au 0459 959 095
Stefanie Perri – for Chisholm stefanie.perri@australianlabor.com.au (03) 9544 2192
Shashi Bhatti – for Gippsland https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Shashi%2BBhatti/keywords_top
Carl Katter – for Higgins carl@carlkatter.com 0432 507 140
Libby Coker, for Corangamite, libby.coker@libbycoker.com.au 0400 267 288
Matthew Coote – for Goldstein matthew.coote@vic.alp.org.au 0435 496 625
Tony Clark – for Deakin (03) 8819 0398 http://tonyclark.net.au/Contact
Simon Curtis for Latrobe simon.curtis@vic.alp.org.au 0400 174 155
Marg D’Arcy marg@margdarcy.com 0409859046
Sophie Ismail for Melbourne sophie4melbourne@gmail.com 0474 014 540
Eric Kerr – for Indi Eric.Kerr@vic.alp.org.au
Peta Murphy – for Dunkley 0468 778 143 peta.murphy@vic.alp.org.au
Carolyn Gleixner – for Flinders carolyngleixneralp@gmail.com (03) 5989 0537
Adam Rundell for Menzies Adam.Rundell@vic.alp.org.au
Lydia Senior – for Mallee lydia@lydiasenior.com.au 0447 133 893
Alan Williams for Murray Alan.Williams@vic.alp.org.au
Submission time again – this time to South Australian Parliamentary Committee
JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINDINGS OF THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE ROYAL COMMISSION
1 This month
7 April – WEBINAR – Australia and the Doomsday Clock – Preventing nuclear war through NoFirstUse and other policies
Online | Tuesday April 7, 4:00-5:30pm, Australian Eastern Time / 8:00-9:30am Central Europe Time
– Access the registration link
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 